The Midterms Were a Pretty Good Sign for the Right-to-Repair Movement

Iowa senator-elect Josh Turek and presumptive Minnesota state representative Jake Johnson both centered repair policies in their platforms, focusing on issues that affect farmers and their equipment. (As of publication, Johnson’s race has not yet been called and may be headed to a recount.) In St. Paul, Minnesota, voters also passed a measure ensuring renters' right to repair with overwhelming support.

The right-to-repair movement, propelled by advocates in the US and internationally, pushes lawmakers for rules that prevent manufacturers from locking owners out of their own devices. Repair efforts tend to be bipartisan, with support ranging from consumers to farmers to wheelchair users.